employability...employability – more than meets the eye dr. ann bicknell - programme director...
TRANSCRIPT
Employability – more
than meets the eye
Dr. Ann Bicknell - Programme Director C.Psychol., HCPC Reg (Occ)., AFBPS., FHEA., CIPD., Prince 2., Assoc.
IEHF.
Introductions and my background…
“My other car is a
Fiat 500!”
Our Practices and Approach
Coloni Bespoke Interfaces
ILM Level 5
Certificate in
Leadership
and
Management
Who do we have in the room?
Completed KTP
Year 3
Year 2
Year 1
Not yet started
KTP?
Why you need to be in this session:
1. Hear the loudest gripes from employers
2. Understand why your technical knowledge
may not be enough
3. Articulate what else employers are looking
for
4. Clarify: What’s your 50% in para-
professional (leadership) development?
5. Action plan – do one thing well!
A thought experiment to kick us off…?
Describe the personal
characteristics of the chaps in
these two images…
After 3 seconds of exposure…
Clarke, HBR May 2017
What do we observe?
How do YOU communicate your
characteristics for future success?
Graduate Employer Gripes…
“Rigorous standards are vital but there’s been too
little emphasis on the wider skills and attitudes that
employers demand,” John Cridland, Dir. General of
Confederation of British industry
“But employers also want to see young people with a
strong worth ethic, and “softer” skills like
timekeeping, and communication, which are
fundamental in the work environment.” Dr. Adam
Marshall, Dir. Of Policy at British Chamber of
Commerce.
Top Employer Gripes (127 companies
surveyed): 1. Over two thirds of bosses said
candidates cannot handle customers
2. Half said university leavers struggle
with basic English (and
communication skills)
3. Nearly two-fifths claim graduates
cannot do simple maths (finance
awareness)
4. Employers complained that
graduates were more interested in
‘what a job can do for them, not what
they have to offer an employer’
Can’t I just do my actual (technical/research)
job?
The demand….
Retaining graduates is becoming
increasingly difficult …
…with employers typically losing 16% of their intake in the
first two years, which is an increase on the 9% reported last
year.
The Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) Development
Survey 2017 showed that 20% of graduates leave by the end
of the first year after completing a graduate development
programme, increasing to 46% after five years of
employment.
Under-rated skills: Stamina; Obligation; Tolerance of
‘BAU’
The challenge…
A survey of 127 companies including Deloitte, HSBC,
BT and Tesco has revealed that more than half are
having trouble filling graduate vacancies, citing a lack
of basic skills as the salient reason for the widening
gap.
“Employers are significantly scaling-up their
apprenticeship programmes in 2017 with hiring
expected to increase by 59%.
Intermediate level apprenticeships make up the
largest increase (4,492) followed by advanced
apprenticeships (3,967) and higher apprenticeships
(3,320).”
Commensurate with Graduate level – Why?
The reaction…
In 2016 Penguin, Ernst & Young & Price Waterhouse
Coopers ditched their requirements for degrees or
even A-levels to be part of their selection of
candidates. Why?
Penguin’s Human Resources Director said
“…growing evidence shows there is no simple
correlation between having a degree and future
professional success.”
Your data:
Sample: n = 32
5 KTP Associates
15 ‘Other’
• Data and Systems
Analyst
• Behavioural Psychologist
Engineers:
• Structural; Mechanical;
• Sensor; Design; Materials
Your definition of employability:
-Employability is the quality of being successfully
employed.
-Developing the right set of professional and
personal skills to appeal to the right employer at the
right time.
-Value creation and skills acquisition through
continuous improvement to improve an individual's
probability of selection for employment.
-The easiness of finding a job in your area of
expertise
-Having the necessary skills required to be
successful in the recruitment process of a specific
role.
Your definition of employability 2:
-The sum benefit of employing a person for a
company.
-Having the ability to apply skills and expertise in
organisations to help them meet their objectives and
maximise profitability.
-Being able to sell my abilities and knowledge.
- Being able to demonstrate the correct skill-set to an
employer that will give you a competitive edge over
others.
-Possessing the skill set needed by employers.
-Having the technical, interpersonal skills and clarity
of purpose to get a job done.
Employability – definitions to play with:
Employability can
be defined as “doing
value creating work,
getting paid for it and
learning at the same
time, enhancing the
ability to get work in
the future”
Goshal, S.(1997). London
Business School
Employability is “the ability of
a graduate to get a satisfying
job, job acquisition should not
be prioritized over
preparedness for employment
[staying employed!]. …it is not
a set of skills but a range of
experiences and attributes
developed through higher-
level learning, thus
employability is not a “product‘
but a process of learning. (Prof.
Harvey, 2017)
Your unique value proposition:
-Having several different niche knowledge [domains].
-I have experience of both industries and academia.
-It's hard to give a single experience as I feel that I'm
learning many valuable experiences.
-I have a tendency to stand out and think in an out-of-
the-box manner.
-My work-break method is statistically the most
productive.
-I don't think that I have one. …People generally
seem to like me for some reason and I tend to
respond well…
Where is the UVP here?
Employers should capitalise on the scientific-
structured process when approaching a problem/topic.
From personal experience, there have been a distinct
separation and lowering of researchers' adaptability
and relevance to the commercial environment.
A researchers' USP (structured
approach & inquisitive curiosity)
should be a source of strength.
This should be tempered with
honest entrepreneurial spirit to
create a product/process that is
loved by all parties including the
consumer.
Your unique value proposition:
-Ability to manage a full-cycle project from
conception to post-go live.
-I am an award winning … specialist fully qualified in
architectural technology and construction
management.
-Trustworthy. Commitment and hard work.
-Ability to work in complex projects with multiple
partners, under tight deadlines, applying core skills...
Employability includes:
Explicit skills Implicit skills
Can you articulate both in a compelling manner?
Recent job advert requirements:
‘Principal Engineer’
‘Senior Engineer’
‘Graduate Engineer’
“Excellent interpersonal
skills…”
“Above average
interpersonal skills…”
“Acceptable interpersonal
skills …”
Acitivity: What does this ‘look like’?
What would you be doing differently at
each of these job levels?
Recent job advert requirements:
‘Principal Engineer’
‘Senior Engineer’
‘Graduate Engineer’
“Excellent interpersonal
skills…”
“Above average
interpersonal skills…”
“Acceptable interpersonal
skills …”
Can’t I just do my actual job?
Your development trajectory should include:
Leading Self; Leading Others; Leading
Business
Why should specialists be interested in
leadership and management skills?
Key Q: Do managers matter?
With high performing knowledge
workers?
Manager quality = less turnover,
high satisfaction with innovation,
work-life balance and career
development
Google – Project Oxygen
Multi-year research initiative – granular analytics
Garvin,D.HBR: How Google sold its engineers on management. (Dec ’13)
What Google’s best managers do: 8 key
behaviours
A good manager:
1. Is a good coach 2. Empowers the team and does not micromanage
3. Expresses interest in and concern for team members’ success and personal well-being
4. Is productive and results-oriented 5. Is a good communicator—listens and shares information 6. Helps with career development (of others) 7. Has a clear vision and strategy for the team 8. Has key technical skills that help him or her advise the team
Google – Project Oxygen
What is your leadership brand?
1. What consistent
messages do you
give?
2. What stories do you
tell?
3. What examples do
you talk to?
Look for feedback opportunities…
Narrating your brand story:
-I was a mature student when beginning
University…
Having built a career in …industry I started
again from scratch to work my way through
college and Uni to where I am today.
Yet to develop: What ‘soft skill’ are you
already aware of that would make you
more effective at work?
Activity: Write a short description of this now…
How can you …?
Never mind just how to
get this job….
Think about what it
takes to get the next
one?
How do all of your
knowledge, skills,
abilities, experiences
and attitudes work
together to help you?
Does the KTP help with this? Your
learning: -I found the techniques: work breakdown structure
(WBS) and stakeholder analysis …very valuable.
-Being able to effectively communicate specialist
knowledge/concepts in layman terms between the 2
partners has been a very critical skill to master.
-How to manage a project efficiently, to complete
objectives within a required time-frame. This included
moments of man-management, which was a new
experience.
-… that planning is the way to the success.
-Juggling expectations from both …partners.
-Be consistent!
Most valuable learnings:
-The gap between
research and
commercial objectives
and operations. Bridging
this gap is challenging
but interesting.
-How nasty is the
industry sector!
Under-rated skills: Stamina; Obligation; Tolerance of
‘BAU’
Support from Innovate UK for more
effective KTPs - Your data:
-Inter-departmental rivalry
-Role clarity
The company culture
That it wasn’t going to be
easy?
-The attitude of the
company Director
-Company expectations
-My workload!
-The entire business
process.
What do we conclude?
Top tip…
What advice would you give to someone
just starting?:
-Go for it! -Bring the most
adaptable version of
yourself to the table,
wear your thickest skin
and do not pretend to
know more than you do -
you're not a Messiah!
What’s your 50%? 6-step Action Plan for
Success:
1. Identify your strengths (& stories)
2. Identify your areas for development
3. Observe examples of ‘professionalism’
4. Integrate these into your behaviours
5. Capture evidence of ‘impact’ and ‘value’ e.g. Customer feedback
6. Articulate this awareness and aptitude for learning to (future)
employers
Top tip – Identify a Mentor? And study
them.
Why? Because you don’t know what you don’t know!
What else?
Greater visibility of
Innovate UK with tri-
partite Partner
relationships
More support with line
management, briefing,
clarity, hands-on
feedback and logging
support or feedback at
half-way point
The spaces between events…is where the
magic happens!
In terms of learning to articulate your
employability brand and stories…
References:
Ghoshal, Sumantra (December 1997). "The
Individualized Corporation: An Interview with
Sumantra Ghoshal". European Management Journal.
15 (6): 625–632. doi:10.1016/S0263-2373(97)00046-
7.
Harvey, Lee. "On Employability" (PDF): 3. Retrieved 20
February 2017.
Harvard Business review (2016-17 multiple papers)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kXdgrjHpyM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIGEt4NKkwo
What is an entrepreneurial
mindset?
Carolyn
Keenan BSEEN
Project
Manager
Sandra
Benbow BSEEN
Enterprise
Consultant
Leadh
Woolley BSEEN
Project co-
ordinator
Aston University
Entreprene
urial
Mindset
Intentional Curiosity/Alertness
Action/Risk Taker
Self Directed Learning
Continuous Reflection
Entrepreneurs
hip is the
discovery and
development
of business
opportunities
for profitable
gain
Convert an idea into a business model
Group
Activity
Get into groups
Complete a business
model canvas for one of
these businesses
OR your KTP business. Be prepared to present
back one key area of your
business model canvas
• Use bullet points
for each section
• Use post it notes so
you can move
your ideas or
points around
• Feel free to use
images to
describe points
Great idea? Make it a
reality Like the sound of being your own boss?
We can offer you the support to make your business idea or social enterprise a reality including: • Five day intensive start-up session and business
registration • A business grant to kick start your business • Tailored mentoring to suit your business needs • Free work space at Innovation Birmingham Campus • Lots of great networking opportunities. BSEEN intakes in September 2017 September: 11th, 12th, 13th, 18th & 19th Graduates up to 5 years living in Birmingham and Solihull LEP region.
Contact Us
@b_seen
#bseenstartup
/bseenprogramme
/BSEEN
www.b-seen.biz
Old tricks for new dogs
Raquel Gil-Cazorla
• DOO, MSc, PhD
• Teaching + practicing
My background
Develop further
2 years postdoc 3 years postdoc
(Juan de la
Cierva)
3 years postdoc
(KTP project)
What is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership?
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) is a UK-wide programme that has
been helping businesses for the past 40 years to improve their
competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge,
technology and skills that reside within the UK Knowledge Base.
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership serves to meet a core strategic need and
to identify innovative solutions to help that business grow. KTP often delivers
significant increased profitability for business partners as a direct result of
the partnership through improved quality and operations, increased sales
and access to new markets. Social enterprises see improved results, too.
What is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership?
Knowledge Transfer Partnership
The KTP application process
• Originally for a PhD student (salary)
• 5 candidates
• 3 GOC registered
• 2 with PhD
• Publications
Knowledge Transfer Partnership
I brought my skills to
grow my KTP project
Previous KTP experience
Second project by the Academic supervisor
Previous Associate was a runner up in the
Business Leader of Tomorrow by InnovateUK
Won best new project at Aston KTP awards
Best established project at Aton KTP awards
Project was graded VERY GOOD
No Pressure!!!
Aim:
To develop treatment models based on patient pathways,
treatment regimens and outcomes for presbyopia and laser
cataract surgery within a private ophthalmic surgical centre.
My project
Clinical experience
Research experience
No business experience
What does success mean?
What does success mean?
Final independent review
Ordinal scale (Outstanding, very good,
good, satisfactory, unsatisfactory)
Handful gets outstanding, the majority
gets very good or good
What does success mean in terms of KTP partnership?
What does success mean in terms of KTP partnership?
Outstanding partnerships should
overachieve:
– Business objectives
– Academic results
– Associate development
Aim:
To develop treatment models based on patient pathways,
treatment regimens and outcomes for presbyopia and laser
cataract surgery within a private ophthalmic surgical centre.
My project…
Maternity Leave for 10
months
How would you grade my project?
My project has been graded
What does success mean in terms of KTP partnership?
Business objectives
The business outcomes should demonstrate long term
results for the business partner in the form of “a sea
change” in development such as an embedded
approach to innovation which could not have been
obtained by consultancy or contract R&D.
What does success mean in terms of KTP partnership?
Business objectives
We focused on cataract surgery, additional
research, training, project run without me (maternity
leave)
What does success mean in terms of KTP partnership?
The Knowledge Base Partner
The Knowledge Base Partner should be seen to take
their research into new areas or modes of application, for
example the development of PhD programmes or setting
up of new research activities
What does success mean in terms of KTP partnership?
The Knowledge Base Partner
3 Projects, 2 grants (Marie Curie), 4 papers, 1 book
chapter, 20 conferences, new knowledge
What does success mean in terms of KTP partnership?
The Associate
Training and development are a key part
What does success mean in terms of KTP partnership?
The Associate
2 Memberships, 1 fellowship, 10 conferences, 4 papers, 1
book chapter, humanitarian aid, 78 days spent in formal
training
Project won Best new project at Aston KTP awards
Awarded Outstanding by Innovate UK
Lectureship in Aston University
Old tricks for new dogs?
– Associate is the vehicle between Academia and
Company
– Regular meetings with Academic and Company
supervisors
– Become an embedded company resource
– Inform who you are and what your project is about
Old tricks for new dogs?
– Bear in mind:
Research + profit
Original Project plan (although it can
change and evolve)
Business case (compare the original and
actual profit during and after the project )
Old tricks for new dogs?
– Embed knowledge from the beginning
– Manual, videos, handouts…
– Associate training (courses, PhD, conferences,
fellowships…). PDR
– Record everything (achievements, courses,
conferences…) with dates
Old tricks for new dogs?
– LMC
Keep your own record of expenses
Review financial statement and
forecast before LMC
Budgets (vire money)
Advisor role
Old tricks for new dogs?
– Final report
Reflective learning
Project achievements
Show success in:
– Business outcomes
– Academic supervisor
– Associate development
In conclusion
My experience managing a KTP:
– Hard work
– Challenging
– Even harder if you have to do a PhD
– Expanded my knowledge of the business aspects
– Boosted my career (Lectureship)
– Networking
Any
Questions?